Actor Kwon Sang Woo, even on his 25th anniversary since debut, vowed to return as a box-office actor in January through Heartman, backed by the support of his wife Son Tae Young and son Rookhee.
On the evening of the 9th, SBS News Hunters featured Kwon Sang Woo as a guest. He attended an interview with the News Hunters anchors to promote his upcoming film, Heartman.
Kwon Sang Woo's new film Heartman (director Choi Won Seop, produced by Movie Rock·Like M Company, distributed by Lotte Entertainment) is a comedy about Seungmin (Kwon Sang Woo), a returned man who struggles to not lose the first love he meets again, but a secret he can never tell her emerges. It is scheduled to open on the 14th.
Despite being busy with the release, Kwon Sang Woo has been living back and forth between the United States and Korea. He married actress Son Tae Young in 2008 and has one son and one daughter, and his wife and children are studying in New Jersey, United States. In particular, Kwon Sang Woo is known to cross over to the United States during breaks to spend time with his family.
On his daily life with his family, Kwon Sang Woo joked, "Even going to the mart is enjoyable. My wife tells me to stop buying things. When I go, I find new things I want to have," and said, "In the United States I try to be with my family 24 hours a day," adding, "Personally, I haven't changed much from when we were dating to now. Even now, to the point my wife dislikes it, I like being together."
He said, "Even if I'm watching TV in the living room, if my wife goes in I follow her. Being together is comfortable. Even if we do nothing, being in the same space together feels comfortable," drawing praise that he is a true "Heartman."
Meanwhile, the couple's eldest son, Kwon Rookhee, who is studying in the United States, has been praised for his tall height and sturdy build resembling his father, evoking high‑teen romance.
What kind of father is Kwon Sang Woo to such a son? Kwon Sang Woo said, "My son once said something. I don't know what he was watching, but he said, 'I find Hitman more fun than Extreme Job' and left. In a way, that one line sounded like 'Dad, I love you.'" He added, "At the time, I was moved by that passing remark from my son. Thinking that my son quietly watched my work, I wanted to do my best and devote myself more."
Buoyed by his son's support, Kwon Sang Woo has been continuously presenting works. Coincidentally, starting with the film Hitman released in January 2020, he appeared in Pirate: Goblin Flag in January 2022, Switch in January 2023, and last January met audiences with Hitman 2. About this, Kwon Sang Woo said, likening it to the famous line in the drama Stairway to Heaven, "Love comes back," that he wanted to say, "Sang Woo is coming back." He added, "The actor who succeeds in January every year, Kwon Sang Woo, is coming back. It somehow happened that way, and I want to keep coming back."
He also said, having debuted in 2001 and marking his 25th anniversary this year, "It feels like about 10 years, and I try hard to let things go. Time passes so quickly, and it's natural to age as time goes by. But I worry how long I can lead a single drama or film. Why did I start acting in the first place? I started because I liked acting, but I also question whether a role must be the lead to be a great actor. If there is an ascent, there will also be a descending period, and if that period can be delayed it's good, but rather than be afraid of it, when I'm on set with lights and cameras and the role is attractive, I try to act with a joyful heart. I don't want to step down yet," he said with a laugh.
Finally, he said, "I wanted to create a meme. I prepared to create a meme on News Hunters before leaving. I wish everyone a healthy year. Heartman is the first Korean film to open in January. I want to continue the box‑office momentum," and added laughter by pulling out a red heart‑shaped plush doll from his arms, like the title of the film Heartman.
[Photo] OSEN DB, SBS source.
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